Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“Zephyr invoked the Rite of Ten. He wanted to perform it himself, but River invoked the Rite of substitution.”
“What does that mean?”
“He wanted ten free strikes against you, with no interference, but River didn’t trust him to do it.”
“I demanded to step in and be the one to perform the strikes. I’m so sorry but it was the only way to protect you from him.” River knelt by the bed and pulled at her hand.
“You have to hit me ten times?”
“And Tal has to bear witness. I promise I will be as gentle as I can be.”
“It’s okay, I know you’re only doing it because Zephyr would have done worse.”
“Yeah, plus I will avoid the areas where you have been recently injured as much as I can.” Araiya and Tal snorted.
“Where exactly does that leave you?”
“Umm, I can hit you in your face, or stomach, or like the side under the ribs.” River winced with each location, and he stood abruptly and walked into her bathroom mumbling that he couldn’t do it.
“Suggestion?” Tal offered. Araiya nodded and Tal took the thump from the bathroom to be a yes from River. Tal kneeled down next to Araiya and took her face in his hands. “I am suggesting this not to make this worse for you or embarrass you, but because it is the only truly safe way, I can think of to deliver the punishment. You still need to function and being punched or hit ten times in the face or stomach wouldn’t allow that.” The confusion on her face was evident. River had made his way to the doorway and was watching the pair. “I think, and please don’t hate me, but I think he should spank you.”
“What?” both chimed at the same time.
River crossed his arms and banged his head off the door frame. “You want me to spank her, are you trying to kill me?”
“No River, I am trying to have you not kill her.” Tal turned back to Araiya. “It is the only safe spot, and it’s something that Zeph would enjoy, so River could go easier and still appease the bastard.”
“Araiya we can find another way, you do not have to agree to this.” River crossed the room.
“What if I did?”
“What?” River stumbled.
“What if I agreed to you spanking me?” Araiya pushed up from the bed and faced River. Her face was starting to bloom with a bit of color. “What if I want you to spank me?”
“You would want me to spank you?” River swallowed audibly, causing Tal to snicker.
“Tal is right, River. I have been broken in a lot of places in this last week. My ass has probably the most padding to take the beating and I will be fine, if not a little sore. Out of anything I can think of it’s the only thing where I would be able to walk away from and still make training tomorrow.”
“Araiya…”
“It’s fine, let’s get this over with.” She turned from River who was still staring, jaw dropped, at Tal. “Where would be the best place to do this?”
Tal looked around and then stood up and held out his hand. “The desk. You can lean over it and we can move it so that I don’t see anything but can still watch. This makes me sound so fucking creepy.” Tal and River pulled her desk from the wall and placed the chair on the other side. “This…” Tal gestured, “makes me look super fucking creepy.”
“How does this make you look creepy? It’s just something you have to do.” Araiya approached the desk.
“If this was Shavon, and River and I were both her mates, I’d be into this. You are beautiful, but you are not mine and I feel like I am watching something intimate.” Tal settled into the chair and Araiya bent over it and raised an eyebrow. Tal nodded and she relaxed.
“Are you comfortable?” River placed a hand on her lower back.
“As much as I can be I guess.” Araiya looked at him over her shoulder.
“Okay, let me know if you need a break, but I will try to get through this quickly.” River raised his hand and was about to strike.
“Wait.” Tal threw up a hand and focused on Araiya’s face. “I want you to know I am saying this for both of your own good. You can’t do it like this. Zeph will use any reason to take this back when he hears about it.” Tal shot River a sad smile, then focused back on Araiya. “He needs to pull down your pants, as they give protection. Plus, Zeph will say it’s more degrading this way, so he will enjoy it. You don’t have to be completely bare, just the pants.”
“No fucking way are you crazy? This is degrading enough for her Tal. I won’t force her to do that. How can you even suggest it?” River continued on his tirade and paced as Araiya focused on Tal. He stared back at her, and she saw his honesty and hidden fear that Zeph would use this as an excuse to hit her more.
“Okay.” Araiya nodded and stood up.
“Please don’t make me do this to you.” River almost begged.
“It’s okay River. I know you’re protecting me.” Araiya shimmied out of her pants and leaned back over the desk. Tal settled back in the chair. “Go ahead River. I trust you.” She glanced back and gave him a small smile.
River slowly approached Araiya bent over the desk, without looking away from her. His palms started to sweat as he made it to the desk, and he had to wipe his palms on his pants. “Okay. Same thing as before, tell me if you need a break, and I will stop, okay?” River placed his one hand back on her lower back. “If you squirm too much you can do damage, so if you start, I will have to hold you down.”